Psalm 148:1-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 148:1-6

We, in this dark and depressed world, know but little of the world of light and exaltation, and, conversing within narrow confines, can scarcely admit any tolerable conceptions of the vast regions above. But this we know, I. That there is above us a world of blessed angels by whom God is praised, an innumerable company of them. Thousand thousands minister unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him; and it is his glory that he has such attendants, but much more his glory... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:1

Praise ye the Lord ,.... Or, hallelujah: which, in some versions, and with some interpreters, is the title of the psalm; expressive of the subject matter of it, the praise of the Lord; and is an exhortation of all creatures to it; praise ye the Lord from the heavens ; that is, those that are of the heavens; let their praises of the Lord, of his perfections, works, and benefits, resound from thence; the angels of heaven particularly, who have their habitation and residence there, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:2

Praise ye him, all his angels ,.... The Targum adds, who minister before him: the ministering spirits, the angels of Jehovah, even of Christ, who are his creatures, and at his command; and whom he sends forth to minister to others, Hebrews 1:7 . And great numbers there are of them, thousands and tens of thousands, yea, an innumerable company; and all of them are under obligation to praise the Lord for their creation: for invisible spirits, as well as visible bodies, even the celestial... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:3

Praise ye him, sun and moon ,.... The sun praises the Lord, the Creator of it, by doing the work constantly it is appointed to do; to rule by day, and give light and heat to the earth, and the inhabitants of it; and so is the cause of man's praising the Lord for the benefits they receive from it; for its enlightening, warming, and refreshing rays; and for the precious fruits brought forth by it and so the moon likewise doing its office, ruling by night, and reflecting the light of the sun... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:4

Praise him, ye heaven of heavens ,.... All the heavens, the airy and starry heavens; and the third heaven, the residence of God, angels and saints: these are made by the Lord, and declare the glory of his power, wisdom, and goodness, and show forth his handiwork, Psalm 19:1 . A voice was heard from heaven, praising Jehovah the Son, when on earth in our nature; a cloud of the lower heavens received him when he went from hence, and in the clouds thereof he will come again: the highest... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:1

Praise ye the Lord from the heavens - The Chaldee translates, "Praise the Lord, ye holy creatures from the heavens. Praise him, ye armies of supreme angels. Praise him, all ye angels who minister before him." השמים מן min hashshamayim signifies whatever belongs to the heavens, all their inhabitants; as הארץ מן min haarets , Psalm 148:7 , signifies all that belongs to the earth, all its inhabitants and productions. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:3

Praise ye him, sun and moon - The meaning of this address and all others to inanimate nature, is this: Every work of God's hand partakes so much of his perfections, that it requires only to be studied and known, in order to show forth the manifold wisdom power, and goodness of the Creator. Stars of light - The brightest and most luminous stars: probably the planets may be especially intended. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:4

Heavens of heavens - Heavens exceeding heavens. Systems of systems extending as far beyond the solar system, as it does beyond the lowest deeps. The endless systematic concatenation of worlds. Ye waters that be above the heavens - This refers to Genesis 1:7 ; (note), where see the notes. Clouds, vapours, air, exhalations, rain, Snow, and meteors of every kind. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:1

Verse 1 1.Praise Jehovah from the heavens He seems here to include the stars as well as the angels, and, therefore, heaven itself, the air, and all that is gendered in it; for afterwards a division is made when he first calls upon angels, then upon the stars, and the waters of the firmament. With regard to the angels, created as they were for this very end — that they might be instant in this religious service, we need not wonder that they should be placed first in order when the praises of God... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:3

Verse 3 3.Praise him, ye sun and moon This passage gives no countenance to the dream of Plato, that the stars excel in sense and intelligence. Nor does the Psalmist give them the same place as he had just assigned to angels, but merely intimates that the glory of God is everywhere to be seen, as if they sang his praises with an audible voice. And here he tacitly reproves the ingratitude of man; for all would hear this symphony, were they at all attent upon considering the works of God. For doth... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 148:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 148:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 148:3

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